James D. Snyder

FROM AMAZON: 70-something Oreny “Big” Johnson has a problem. Actually, he has two. Or maybe three. The first is that he’ll be dead from cancer, less than a year, which doesn’t particularly concern him: “The things I’ve been through, dying is just one more page in a long bad book.” But spending his last living days, taking his last living breath, behind steel bars does. That’s the second problem: Inmate #78903 in the notorious level-four Washington State prison known as Horseneck Bay.

Then there’s the money. Two million dollars of stolen military payroll, supposedly buried in some remote and mysterious south-Texas mountain range called Los Despoblados, or The Uninhabited, which sounds to Oreny like one of those places his mama Maybell always told him to avoid. But he’ll worry about that later. He has to get there first. Problem number three.

That’s when he brings those two smoldering dynamite sticks he’s attached himself to—his Luke-boy and Jaime—on board to help his tired old body break out of Horseneck and go dig up that money and then hightail it across the border into Mexico. And when they do break out, and Luke decides to bring his girlfriend Lauren along, and her enraged ex comes after them, and then the manhunt starts multiplying faster around them than those cancer cells inside him, Oreny still thinks he can control them. The problems, that is. At least, until Cade arrives.

Cade, the prison investigator Oreny knows is dangerous and unpredictable as a six-foot-two wolverine on eight gallons of adrenalin gone bad. And who won’t stop until he catches them and does to them what Cade does best.

Cade, Oreny knows better than anything else, is their biggest problem of all.… (més)

I received a free copy through Goodreads.
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I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked this up. There was a lot of fighting (bullying, the war and eventually the prison), which is all very graphic and gritty. But hey fighting is dirty and underhanded, so this is definitely very realistic in that sense. The book basically focuses on 4 chapters of Paul's life, from when he was an abused child, to a man enlisted in the army, to a prisoner while the government decides what to do with him and his knowledge and where he finally has enough and wants to leave it all behind.

It was quite fascinating reading about the Javanese Martial Art that the Dutchman was teaching Paul throughout the years and how it somewhat helped shape his character through all the challenges that lies ahead. The author takes you through every detail and thoughts that goes through Paul's mind and every bit is important instead of being glossed over.

This definitely isn't my type of book, but overall it was a decent read, even though there were a few sections here and there that I struggled through. But that twist ending, wow didn't expect that!… (més)

Life and Death on the Loxahatchee By James Snyder Vince "Trapper" Nelson lived in the Jupiter area from the early 1930's until his death in 1968. He was a real life tarzan and dazzled friends and visitors with his charm, knowledge, movie star good looks and connection with nature. In 1932 there were approximately 250 people living in this area of Florida. The people were struggling during this post depression time but Trapper loved nature, animals, and life on the Loxahatchee River. It was a quieter time and populated rather quickly in the later years. This book details exactly what life in the Jupiter/Tequesta area was and what it has come to be in the present day. There's a tremendous amount of history in this area. Easy, enjoyable read. If you like history and especially for our locals, its a must read for summer!… (més)